Pastors Who Endorse Marketing

By David Tonen • November 14th, 2008

I love it when I come across pastors who get excited about marketing.  I had the opportunity to sit down today with some pastors and some church leaders who genuinely wanted to learn about marketing.  Not only were they receptive, I think we all walked away excited by the prospect of how a good marketing action plan and its execution can benefit the communication of a ministry’s message.  Awesome!

Then this evening, I read an article written by pastor Mark Batterson of National Community Church in Washington DC. Mark says in his article “Purple Cows“:

“The greatest message deserves the greatest marketing. I know that marketing is a dirty word in some church circles, but does it get anybody else riled up that Madison Avenue is far better at pedaling its worthless wares than the church is at preaching the good news? I have a problem with that. We need sanctified competitive streaks.“

Bang on!  That’s it!  I had the privilege to visit Mark’s church and hear him preach in early September.  This guy is definitely “tuned in”.  If more pastors could just “get it” like this then we would see an explosion of churches impacting their communities and making the difference that they are supposed to make.

For those of us who realize the benefit of “marketing the message”, it is our job to teach and encourage those in church leadership that are not there yet.  For those that are reading this and still learning – I applaud you!  Keep learning and trying to change your church’s perspective on marketing.  Marketing is communication and telling your story.  Let’s go do that – and do it with excellence!

Comments(2) Church Marketing, Marketing, Ministry
  • http://triunedesigns.com Leo Wurschmidt

    It is a shame that most churches are getting out marketed by Madison avenue. I think a lot of churches just rely on the old process: our congregation will bring people into our church.

    This is still very, very important: relationships with others have deep impact on non-believers. However, there are people out there searching for answers and the Truth. If the Church can become a better marketer then perhaps we can get some of those people who are searching, but lack the necessary relationships.

  • http://navigateyourmarketing.com/ David

    Thanks Leo! I agree that most churches will say they will rely on people bringing people but they neglect to equip them and support them in that process.

    My experience has been that the best way to grow a church in numbers is exact ley that – Christians investing in relationships within their circle of influence and then taking or making opportunities to invite those people to church. However, most churches do not have a marketing plan which will give their people the promotional tools to help tell the story of their church and as a result compel people to want to being their spiritual journey.

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